What would you do if you always wanted to be loved but always got the opposite? I've always heard of matches made in heaven and soulmates. I always longed to meet mine. But guess who is always unlucky? Yeah! That’s me.
My past relationships have always been a disaster. I’ve dated three guys in the past, and all I ever got were heartbreaks. Well, I think, at this point, I give up. Maybe I was just looking for something that’s not even missing.
"Hello..."
(I was so lost in thought that I didn’t notice my friend Grace and my crush Emmanuel approaching.)
“Oh, hello Grace. Hi, Emmanuel,” I greeted them.
Emmanuel: “Hi.”
Grace: “Babe, what’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I just need some rest.”
(I just couldn’t tell her yet that I have a crush on Emmanuel. Well, I know I said I was done looking for matches made in heaven and soulmates, but Emmanuel is just different. I can’t get him off my mind. Whenever he’s around, my heart races. I feel butterflies in my stomach, and I become strangely shy. I always wonder if he notices me at all.)
(All these thoughts were running through my mind until we arrived home.)
Grace noticed and asked, “Gift, what’s wrong? You’ve looked worried since we got back from school.”
I couldn’t help it; I just had to spill it. “Grace, I think I’m in love with Emmanuel.”
Grace: “What? How? Are you serious?”
Me: “Calm down! I just said I’m in love with Emmanuel, and you’re already asking questions.”
Grace: “Okay, I’m sorry about that. But I thought you said you were done with love.”
Me: “I know... He just captured my heart.”
Grace: “Okay, so what’s the plan?”
Me: “I don’t know.”
Grace: “Just tell him.”
Me: “What? How? I can’t approach a guy; it’s embarrassing.”
Grace: “Well, you don’t have a choice, shy princess. Maybe you should express your feelings in a letter and give it to him.”
Me: “Yes, I think that’s a good idea. Aww, thanks, babe! You’re a lifesaver.”
Grace: “Haha, well, what would you do without me?”
Me: “You wish! Haha.”
(We both laughed.)
(I felt relieved, even if just a little. But the idea of approaching a guy felt weird. Still, I think I’ll give it a try.)
(I wrote a letter and, in it, I expressed my deep feelings for Emmanuel. I don’t know if this is going to work, but this is the only shot I’m going to take before my final-year exams, which are in three months. I just hope he considers my feelings and takes me seriously.)
Grace: "Are you praying? Why are you murmuring to yourself?"
(I gave her a side look, signaling for her to leave me be.)
Grace: "Just make it quick. We’re almost late for the morning lecture."
Me: "Okay, fine. I’m done. Let’s go, Miss Punctual."
Grace: "Thank you, Miss I’m in Love." (She teased me and ran outside the room.)
Me: "Like seriously, just let me get hold of you first."
(We got to school, and time was flying by as if something was chasing the day. The school day ended, and I was arranging my books. Grace went to use the restroom, so it was just me in the classroom doing the packing. Suddenly, a lady approached me with a card. I asked, "From who?" She said, "Emmanuel." My heart started racing so fast. The lady who delivered the card left, and I was contemplating whether to open it or wait for Grace, but I couldn’t wait anymore, so I just opened the content.)
The content: CAN YOU MEET ME AT THE SCHOOL HALL? I PROMISE I WON’T TAKE MUCH OF YOUR TIME.
(As if it was a command, I stood up, dropped everything I was doing, and ran as fast as I could. The few students I passed by couldn’t stop staring, and I’m sure they must have been wondering what could be the reason I was running that fast. Trust me, if this was a race, I think I won this one already. I got to the entrance and halted in my tracks. I adjusted my dress and tried to calm my breath because I was breathing so heavily. Just when I felt I was calm enough, I walked straight into the hall, and behold a loud surprise embraced me. The hall was full, with what seemed like all the students cheering so loudly the moment I walked in...)
Crowd: "Go girl, go girl, go girl!"
(I still didn’t get what was going on. I could see Emmanuel urging me to come forward, and like a robot, I walked toward him.)
I could see Grace from the other end of the hall. Wait, what’s going on? I thought this school had dismissed for the day already.
Emmanuel: "Hi."
Me: "Hello." (I replied, looking shy and confused.)
Emmanuel: "I’m glad you’re here, Gift." (At this point, everywhere was quiet.)
Me: "Emmy, what’s going on?"
Emmanuel: "Well, um... I have something very important to say. I know we’ve been more like associates than best friends, but ever since our first year in this school, I’ve always cherished you from afar. I know you may find it hard to believe, especially since it’s our final year, but trust me, these feelings are real. I blame my shy personality, which has held me back all these years, but now I’m ready."
(He moved closer to me, took my hand in his, and I was on the verge of tears when the crowd screamed, "Awwn.")
Standing here before you, I want you to know how deeply my feelings for you have grown every day, Gift. I love you, and I want you to be my woman. I promise, if you give me the chance to prove my love, trust me, you won’t regret it. What do you say, Gift?"
(Me: He asked a question I never expected he would ask—one I’d only dreamed of. And right now, it’s happening in reality. I’m just standing here, looking into his eyes. He was staring at me as if pleading with his eyes for a good reply, and I could hear the crowd cheering for me to say yes.)
(He suddenly kissed me, and though I wasn’t expecting it, I kissed him back. The crowd continued cheering until we broke from the kiss. I was looking so shy at this point.)
(He raised my face to meet his gaze and whispered as if he didn’t want anyone else to hear.)
Emmanuel: "I love you, Gift."
Me: "I love you too, Emmanuel."
(We hugged each other, and I could see my friend Grace from behind, already in tears. I’m sure those were tears of joy for me, her best friend.)
And just like that, things worked out for Emmanuel and me. The outcome of everything was amazing, and after that, even in the hall, our chemistry was all over the school. We were called the latest couple throughout the year, all the way until our sign-out date.
The excitement I feel every day, knowing I’m finally with the right man... And guess who finally got a match? Yeah! That’s me. It was truly a match made in heaven because our chemistry knew no bounds.
The last picture belongs to me